Abstract

Andreev reflection is a smart tool for investigating the spin polarizationP of the current through point contacts between a superconductor and a ferromagnet. We compare different models for extracting P from experimental data and investigate the dependence of P on various parameters of a contact.

We thank H. v. Löhneysen for stimulating discussions and ongoing support of the point-contact research at the Physikalisches Institut. G.G. acknowledges a fruitful and long-lasting collaboration over almost two decades with Igor Yanson, who brought him into touch with point-contact spectroscopy during a sabbatical at Karlsruhe. Igor Yanson was an exceptionally gifted teacher and outstanding scientist. We acknowledge the financial support provided by the DFG-Center for Functional Nanostructures.